By Amy Tennery
(Reuters) – The United States got a boost of confidence as they beat Brazil 2-1 to clinch their fourth consecutive SheBelieves Cup title on Wednesday in Frisco, Texas, less than 150 days before the World Cup.
Forward Mallory Swanson flicked in the game winner off an assist from Rose Lavelle in the second half, her seventh goal of the year, and the Americans hoisted the trophy after previously beating Canada 2-0 and Japan 1-0 in the round-robin tournament.
It marked quite a change from their a demoralizing run toward the end of 2022, when they recorded three straight losses for the first time since 1993, in friendlies against England, Spain and Germany.
“The whole time throughout the tournament, while we’re in camp, we’re talking about (how) it’s not just about this tournament it’s about preparation for the World Cup,” head coach Vlatko Andonovski told reporters.
“The fact that we were able to do well against such great opponents – all three of them, Canada, Japan and Brazil – is very motivating for us going forward because we believe that we still have a few things to fix and get better from it.”
Andonovski is still tinkering with what he hopes will be a winning combination as the United States seeks an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title, as a couple key figures including NWSL MVP Sophia Smith remain out due to injury.
But 24-year-old forward Swanson has all but assured she’ll be part of the equation when they kick off the World Cup group stage in New Zealand against Vietnam.
Left off of the U.S. Olympic roster in 2021, she stole the show at the SheBelieves Cup, recording both goals in the United States’ shutout over Canada last week and finding the back of the net against Japan, too.
“(I will) just continue to work on the little details,” Swanson, who is currently enjoying a six-match winning streak, said in a televised interview on Wednesday.
“Just focusing on the little details of what you can do, what you can do better and just continue to grow is kind of what my mindset is right now.”
The details have seen her fit seamlessly in with the other two left side players, Lindsay Horan at midfield and defender Crystal Dunn and Andonovski has praised their “synchronised movement.”
“She plays so well individually but we can see more and more in Mal combining with the players around,” he told reporters earlier in the tournament.
With only two more matches expected before the U.S. World Cup roster is announced, there is scarce time left for players to distinguish themselves. Many will return to their NWSL clubs ahead of the top-flight American league’s March 25 kickoff.
Forward Alex Morgan, who slipped one past the Brazilian keeper in first-half stoppage time, has all but punched her ticket as one of a handful of veterans expected to anchor a young squad.
“All I can say is she’s a true winner,” said Andonovski. “Great leader, winner and she always comes through when you need her.”
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates)
